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Kinky genes: Biophysics of DNA affects how it works

SOME genes are kinkier than others. The finding could help explain how DNA coils up into chromosomes, and why certain genes cause disease in some people and not in others.

DNA is typically a long double-helical strand that can expose its sequences of base pairs. These are translated by RNA and particles called ribosomes into proteins, which do the cell’s work. When not in use, DNA wraps around structural proteins called histones to form compact chromosomes. This wrapping is poorly understood, but it is known to play a key role in gene expression. Histones have up to 1000 times greater …